From the Pantagraph

Local Dems give $1,000 to governor's father-in-law
By Kurt Erickson
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
SPRINGFIELD -- The McLean County Democratic Party is sending a grand to the campaign fund of a Chicago alderman -- who happens to be the father-in-law of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
There's nothing illegal about the $1,000 donation, and McLean County Democratic Party Chairman John Penn says it's harmless and only makes political sense.
Still, the decision to contribute the money to 33rd Ward Alderman Dick Mell, the father of Illinois first lady Patti Blagojevich, sparked a lively discussion at Thursday's meeting of the local party.
At least one party activist suggested the donation could help more McLean County Democrats get state jobs. Others, however, insist there is no connection between the contribution and the desire to get more local Democrats on the state payroll.
The decision to pad Mell's already ample campaign account comes as Illinois' ethics laws are under a microscope.
Last week, former Gov. George Ryan was indicted on federal charges stemming from the bribes-for-licenses scandal. And, less than a month ago, Blagojevich signed into law a sweeping new ethics package, aimed at ending corruption in Illinois.
Under state law, it is illegal to trade campaign contributions for jobs.
At Thursday's meeting, a letter from McLean County Democratic Party Chairman John Penn was read to members by Bloomington attorney Steve Williams, who was chairing the party meeting in Penn's absence.
"We had been approached to give money to Dick Mell," Williams confirmed Monday. "People stood from the floor and said why they thought we should do it and shouldn't do it."
Eventually, those in attendance voted in favor of forwarding the contribution to Mell, who reported having more than $441,000 in his campaign funds during the first half of the year.
On Monday, Penn said he usually doesn't respond to the many requests he receives for campaign contributions.
"I normally just pitch them. I probably should have thrown that one away," Penn said.
But, he added, "Given who this gentlemen was, I thought this isn't a bad move. I thought it was the politically correct thing to do."
Penn said he doesn't expect anything in return for the party's contribution.
"It wasn't done for any other reason than I just thought it was a political move that wouldn't hurt the party at all," he said. "I just used my common-sense judgment on it.
"I just thought it was a no-brainer."
In Blagojevich's political career, Mell is listed as a top contributor.
According to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Mell has funneled more than $124,000 in campaign dollars into Blagojevich's various runs for office.